Rising from the Hudson River, Little Island, a new, 2.4 acre free public park, was opened to the public on May 21st, 2021, providing New Yorkers and visitors from around the world with a unique green space in New York City. This park provides peaceful spaces to explore, new venues for live performances and cultural events, and unique points to view the surrounding area.
In 2013, Barry Diller, an American businessman Planned in partnership with the Hudson River Park Trust, embarked on the unique opportunity to envision a solution, for the repair and reactivation of Pier 54, which was damaged by Hurricane Sandy. They chose to reimagine an entirely new type of public space for New York, one that would create an extraordinary experience with nature and art. A landscape design was conceived as a leaf floating on water. And this 260 Million dollar Park Floats on the Hudson is a Charmer.
Thomas Heatherwick, the English designer who also designed the Vessel at Hudson Yards. Designed this magnificent Island, and these mushroom-shaped columns made from concrete, and each of the concrete piles is sunk deep into the riverbed. And these wide planters at the top of each pile is filled with soil to hold the hundreds of species of plants and trees that form the park.
Whether curving along paths, or taking alternate routes of stairs, you will experience the rich palette of plants or outwards to spectacular views of the city and harbor. Little Island has a garden with many species of trees, and different varieties of grasses, perennials, vines, and bulbs. And their fragrance and attractiveness are really commendable.
Know Before You Go
Little Island is open to the public daily from 6:00 am through 1:00 am. The best time to visit this park is 6am-10am, because the park gets crowded after 10 am. Every day through September 30, timed entry reservations is offered every half-hour starting at 12:00 through the remainder of the day. Once you enter the park, there is no time limit to your stay.
- 6:00 am to 12:00 pm: No reservations required for entry. Park monitors will monitor the park for crowding and safety at these times.
- 12:00 pm and on: Free timed entry reservations required for entry. Children ages three and up need a reservation.
GETTING TO LITTLE ISLAND
Public transportation is the best method to get to Little Island. The park is accessible by numerous way:
Subway:
The nearest subway stations are the A, C, E, and L trains located at 14th Street and 8th Avenue; the 1, 2, and 3 trains located at 14th Street and 7th Avenue; and the F and M trains located at 14th Street and 6th Avenue.
Bus:
The M11, M12, and M14D SBS buses stop at 14th Street and 10th Avenue.
Biking:
If biking to Little Island, bike racks are located just north and south of the park entrances on the Hudson River Park, where you can secure your bicycle. Unfortunately, bikes are not allowed on Little Island.
Car:
Address for GPS: Little Island, Pier 55 at Hudson River Park Hudson River Greenway, NY 10014.
Little Island is located at Pier 55 in Hudson River Park at West 13th Street (Henry Hudson Parkway or West side Highway).
Vehicles should drop off guests on 10th Avenue. There is also a taxi pick-up and drop-off location at Pier 57, just north of Little Island.
There are pedestrian crosswalks across the West Side Highway at 14th Street and 13th Street. Visitors may enter Little Island from the South Bridge near 13th Street.
